Big ‘I’ Makes Changes to Federal Affairs Staff

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) has hired Jason Spence as its new assistant vice president for federal government affairs, effective March 12.

Spence comes to the Big “I” from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he served as senior advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions. He coordinated all policy areas in the Assistant Secretary’s jurisdiction, including insurance regulatory reform, terrorism insurance, banking, capital markets and Sarbanes-Oxley Act issues. Prior to his tenure at Treasury, Spence worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative counsel handling financial services issues. He also practiced law at Chaffe McCall in New Orleans. Spence is a graduate of Tulane University Law School and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia.

Spence replaces Brendan Reilly, assistant vice president of federal government affairs at the Big “I” since 2005, who recently accepted a position as the senior vice president of government relations for the Commercial Mortgage Securities Association (CMSA). In his new role, Reilly will lead the lobbying efforts for CMSA, an international trade association representing the commercial real estate capital market finance industry.

In addition, Elizabeth Furey, who has been with the Big “I” since 2005, is assuming the new title of director of federal government affairs & grassroots. Furey will continue her grassroots work while expanding her role to formally join the federal lobbying team. Prior to joining the Big “I”, Furey worked in the Capitol Hill office of Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ). She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

Source: IIABA